The top local stories this morning from KERA News:
The annual Texas sales tax holiday starts on Friday as children prepare to return to school. The Texas comptroller's office says the tax-free weekend, for a number of school-related items, will run until Sunday.
The Texas law exempts most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced less than $100 from sales and use taxes. That could save buyers about $8 on every $100 spent.
State Comptroller spokesman Kevin Lyons says the event is going strong after 20 years.
“We expect this year, shoppers will save about $90.3 million in state and local sales tax,” Lyons said.
The sales tax exemption for Texas also includes items sold online, or by telephone or mail. Shoppers can use layaway plans to get the tax break. There are some exceptions, the sales tax holiday does not apply to jewelry, handbags, purses, briefcases, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches and similar items.
Other stories this morning:
- One of the iconic figures in North Texas news made some news himself this week. WFAA-TV anchor John McCaa is stepping away from the news desk next year and retiring. After his big announcement, McCaa sat down with KERA's Rick Holter for this week's Friday Conversation.
You can listen to North Texas stories weekdays at 8:22 a.m. and 6:20 p.m. on KERA 90.1 FM.
